The Reading Corner

​I'm pleased to announce that our library has acquired several new titles thanks to the generous donations of some of our families.

If you have an avid reader at home, you might find that (s)he is constantly "running out of books to read." Local book stores are dwindling. While Amazon proves to be an incredible resource for purchasing new books, it can be difficult to sort through all of the options to find the perfect book for your child. Some of our children may be reading far above grade level. Books written at a higher level often target an older audience and, as such, may tackle issues that our young readers aren't yet prepared for. I want to ensure that students find the perfect book for them. Books are meant to be enjoyed -- loved -- cherished, even. The books on this list are of varying reading difficulties and are appropriate for a wide range of audiences. As such, I've also included my assessment for "reading difficulty" and "maturity." ​

​ DISCLOSURE: The links below are affiliate links. All earnings go directly towards the purchase of new books which are available to our students. In addition, acquiring new books helps me to curate the book lists on this site. Thanks for your support!

Historical Fiction

Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed ScienceDonated By: The Dhiman FamilyReading Level: Yellow (Elementary)Maturity Rating: GReview by Ms. Voit: Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science is perfect for inspiring any young girl that she can make great contributions to the world of science. The book brings three scientists to life by taking you into their every day life.

Penny from HeavenDonated By: The Aiyer FamilyReading Level: GreenMaturity Level: PGMs Voit's Review: This book starts off slow, but gains momentum by the end. This book provides students with an introduction to every day life in World War II era America. It's a nice quick read.

Turtle in ParadiseDonated By: The Aiyer FamilyReading Level: Yellow​​Maturity Level: PGI'm definitely adding this book to my list of books for "Students who only read Diary of a Wimpy Kid." Turtle, the main character, is shipped off to live with relatives that she's never met. She meets relatives and neighbors with equally ridiculous names. They spend the summer working for candy, treasure hunting, and getting into all sorts of mischief.

The Warden's DaughterDonated By: The Aiyer Family​Reading Level: Yellow/Green​Maturity Level: PG-13Parents need to know that this book conquers tween issues of grief and anger. The main character, Cammie, lives in a prison where her father is the Warden. ​The main character, Cammie, struggles to understand the changes her best friend is going through -- a new obsession with clothing, boys, and tanning. At first, it seems like a perfect book for all ages. However, she begins to act out -- trying cigarettes, shoplifting, etc. The book also has one instance of profanity. Cammie also conquers some pretty big identity issues.

​New Release! Like MagicPurchased with funds from Amazon AffiliatesReading Level: Yellow/Green​​​Maturity Level: PGThree girls each find a mysterious treasure box in their library. Despite never having met, a delightfully unexpected bond forms between the girls. This book will keep you on your toes as the girls *almost* meet each other many times.

Raymie NightingaleDonated By: The Bouquio FamilyReading Level: YellowMaturity Level: PGTwo-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo returns with yet another moving story of friendship.i As Raymie prepares for the Little Miss Central Florida Tire Competition, everything seems to go wrong. As the competition approaches, an unlikely friendship forms and each of the girls overcome the challenges that life presents.

When the Sea Turned to SilverDonated By: The Dhiman FamilyReading Level: Yellow/GreenMaturity Level: PGReview by Ms. Voit: I loved this book so much that as soon as I finished reading it, I turned back to page one and started re-reading. When the Sea Turned to Silver weaves together traditional Chinese folk tales to create a beautiful fantasy quest story. The main character, Pinmei, must conquer sea kings, evil emperors, dragons, and more.

The Cottage in the WoodsDonated By:The Bouquio Family​Reading Level: GreenMaturity Level: PGThis book is simply irresistible. The three little bears are back and better than ever. What were the bears like before Goldilocks barged into their house? What happens after? It's a delightful book written at a higher level(middle school) for a much younger audience.

Greenglass HouseDonated By: The Bouquio Family​Reading Level: GreenMaturity Level: PGGreenglass House is one of the best middle-great mysteries I've read. Milo, the innkeeper's adoptive son, and Meddy, the chef's daughter, investigate the guests to uncover the secrets of the Greenglass House itself. This adventure packed mystery is sure to keep you up all night.

New Release! Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to WinReading Level: Yellow/Green (~5th Grade)​Maturity Rating: PGReview by Miss Danielle:This book is perfect for student athletes, especially girls aspiring to be professional athletes. Women in Sports is beautifully illustrated. It contains 50 different mini-biographies. The biographies are formulaic and predictable in structure, making it easy for young readers to find the information they are looking for. This book is a great reference book for students that may need to pick a topic for an Elementary or Middle School research project. While I love the illustrations, I think that some actual pictures of the athletes would have been helpful. This is not a book designed to be read "straight through." It's definitely a good book for students to flip through and return back to many times. ​

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

New Release! What We See in the StarsReading Level: GreenMaturity: PGReview by Miss Danielle: My students love this book! It's beautifully illustrated, easy to navigate, and fun to explore. The book is broken into sections: the constellations, the Milky Way, the Moon, the Sun, the Planets, Asteroids, and Deep Space. Each section contains several mini articles. Each illustration matches the text to add to a reader's understanding. I loved the attention to detail, including the carefully placed sparkles for constellations on the cover. I do, however, wish that it was printed a bit larger. This would make a good encyclopedia-size book. Larger font would be preferable.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.